Could these symlinks to /run and /run/lock be the problem? I checked my /etc/fstab and /etc/mtab and both files aren't there so I assume that they're not mounted as tmpfs. Also, I do not have a separate var partition.

How do I get around this? Is it safe to delete the symlinks? Or should I force install "filesystem"?

Marked as solved. That was embarrassing, solution was in arch-dev-public mailing list all along. Thanks arojas. In my defense, I did subscribe to the said mailing list but on a separate email address, which I later on deleted. My bad. Lesson learned.

Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael FaradayYou assume people are rational and influenced by evidence. You must not work with the public much. -- Trilby----How to Ask Questions the Smart Way